Avalanche: Y Coulior 3/8/2010

Mon, 03/08/2010 - 8:14pm
Submitted by Drew
Observer Name: 
Brian Johnson
Observation Date: 
03/08/2010
Occurrence Date: 
03/08/2010
Occurrence Time: 
Unknown
Region: 
Salt Lake
Little Cottonwood Canyon
Y Coulior

Location

40° 33' 34.5096" N, 111° 43' 35.688" W
Avalanche Characteristics
Elevation: 
9300'
Aspect: 
North
Trigger: 
Skier
Trigger: additional info: 
Intentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type: 
Soft Slab
Weak Layer: 
Density Change
Depth (avg): 
12"
Depth Range: 
8" to
18"
Width: 
20'
Vertical: 
200'
General Comments

Scattered Clouds and Fog, cool, light South Winds

North, 9300', 40-45 Degrees, 8"-1.5', 20' at widest point, ran about 200', Wind loaded SS, not sure of bed surface, but could have been surface hoar.  Ski cut above, releasing the relatively small slab.  Not too large, but would have been a bad place to get caught on the slab.  Slab released quickly and ran fast due to slope angle.  My partners had both skied on the slab without releasing it prior to myself ski cutting it.

No previous collapsing observed.

Only minor wind today, but most likely a result of this weeks strong SE winds.  It was the N-NW side of the upper Coulior.

Snow surface was soft snow remaining from last weeks storm.

Felt fairly confident in the snowpack the majority of the way, however some rotten snow was observed towards the top, where the slide occured.  Pucker factor was certainly raised after, as it was a high consequence ski shot.

Observed danger was moderate, but was also somewhat concerned of wet slide/sluffing issues.

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